Meditations ON DEATH, And on the Heavenly-Country Which Believers go into at the Hour of Death.Meditations ON DEATH, And on the Heavenly-Countrey Which Believers go into at the Hour of Death.
pp. 111–17150 passagespart 1 of 2
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
1 Chron. XXIX.xv.
[…] we are Strangers before thee, and Sojourners, as were all our Fathers: Our Days on the Earth are […] Shadow, and there is none abiding.
1 Chron. XXIX.xv.
〈…〉 we are Strangers before thee, and Sojourners, as were all our Fathers: Our Dayes on the Earth are 〈…〉 Shadow, and there is none abiding•.
IN this Chapter we have an account of a very Liberal Collection which David and the Princes of Israel made toward• the Building of the Temple, with Davids solemn ⟨p. 112⟩Thanksgiving on that occasion. […] the preceding Verse he shows that there was great reason for that Liberality; in-as-much as all the Estate and Riches Enjoyed by them, came from God: Of thine own (said he) we have given to thee. Although' David and […] Princes gave many Thousands […] Pounds for the promoting of […] work, yet they gave not one Penny, but what God had given to them. […] God gives to us all that we Enjoy, it is but reason that we should make […] return of some part of it to Him again. In this Verse there is another reason mentioned why it was very meet for them thus to dispose of some part of their Estate, viz. in that that they were Strangers and Sojourners on the Earth, as (said he) all our Fathers were. Their Fathers, Abraham, Isaac & Jacob were Strangers even before Men in the Land of Canaan, which is called the Land of their Pilgrimage wherein they were Strangers,
. In their Days it was possessed by other Inhabitan••: But (says he) we are Strangers before
⟨p. 113⟩
Thee. Notwithstanding the Children of Israel were then possessed of •he Land of Canaan, they were Strangers before God. As if he had said, •he Land is not our own, it is Gods […]; we are only Tenants, and •enants at will, and must not continue […] here. And then he adds, that […] were Sojourners: They were […] and Travellers bound for another Country. Therefore he does ••rther Illustrate it, by saying their •ayes were like a Shadow. A Shadow […] no abiding substance, but soon […] away. Such is the •ife of […] on the Earth. Therefore (says David) we cannot make a better use of our Estates than to give Liberally ••wards the Building of a Temple• […] God▪ who is able to Reward us, […] that Eternally, by giving us: an inheritance in the other World […] we are going and where we […] for ever, after our short time o• […] is finished.
IN this Chapter we have an account of a very Liberal Collection which David and the Princes of Israel made toward• the Building of the Temple, with Davids solemn ⟨p. 112⟩Thanksgiving on that occasion. 〈…〉 the preceding Verse he shews that there was great reason for that Liberality; in-as-much as all the Estate and Riches Enjoyed by them, came from God: Of thine own (said he) we have given to thee. Altho' David and 〈…〉 Princes gave many Thousands 〈…〉 Pounds for the promoting of 〈…〉 work, yet they gave not one Penny, but what God had given to them. 〈…〉 God gives to us all that we Enjoy, it is but reason that we should make 〈…〉 return of some part of it to Him again. In this Verse there is another reason mentioned why it was very meet for them thus to dispose of some part of their Estate, viz. in that that they were Strangers and Sojourners on the Earth, as (said he) all our Fathers were. Their Fathers, Abraham, Isaac & Iacob were Strangers even before Men in the Land of Canaan, which is called the Land of their Pilgrimage wherein they were Strangers, Exod. 6.4. In their Dayes it was possessed by other Inhabitan••: But (sayes he) we are Strangers before ⟨p. 113⟩Thee. Notwithstanding the Chil•ren of Israel were then possessed of •he Land of Canaan, they were Stran•ers before God. As if he had said, •he Land is not our own, it is Gods 〈…〉; we are only Tenants, and •enants at will, and must not continue 〈…〉 here. And then he adds, that 〈…〉 were S•journers: They were 〈…〉 and Travellers bound for ano••er Countrey. Therefore he does ••rther Illustrate it, by saying their •ayes were like a Shadow. A Shadow 〈…〉 no abiding substance, but soon 〈…〉 away. Such is the •ife of 〈…〉 on the Earth. Therefore (sayes David) we cannot make a better use of our Estates than to give Liberally ••wards the Building of a Temple•〈…〉 God▪ who is able to Reward us, 〈…〉 that Eternally, by giving us: an ••heritance in the other World 〈…〉 we are going and where we 〈…〉 for ever, after our short time o•〈…〉 is finished.
DOCTRINE. The Servants of God are very sensible that they are Strangers and Sojourners on the Earth, and that they have but a Little Time to be in this world.
1. Not the Earth, but Heaven is the Country they belong unto. And that indeed is the difference between the Servants of God and other men in the world. All other men are but Sojourners on the Earth; they are not at their long Home. But they can't say, that Heaven is their Country to which they do belong, and to which they are going. But this is that which the Children of God may truly say. Their Hearts are there, their Treasure is there, and all their Desires centre there▪ 'Tis said of the holy ⟨p. 115⟩••tria•ks, Heb. 11.16. They sought a ••tter Country, that is an Heavenly one. •nd this is Evident from Several things.
1. Not the Earth, but Heaven is the Countrey they belong unto. And that indeed is the difference between the Servants of God and other men in the world. All other men are but Sojourners on the Earth; they are not at their long Home. But they can't say, that Heaven is their Countrey to which they do belong, and to which they are going. But this is that which the Children of God may truly say. Their Hearts are there, their Treasure is there, and all their Desires center there▪ 'Tis said of the holy ⟨p. 115⟩••tria•ks, Heb. 11.16. They sought a ••tter Countrey, that is an Heavenly one. •nd this is Evident from Several •hings.
1. In that Heaven is their Fathers •ouse. Heaven is compared unto an •ouse: We have an House Eternal in […] Heavens. And it is Gods House. Christ said unto the Disciples, Joh. 4.2. In my Fathers House there •re many Mansions. He is called, •ur Heavenly Father. Heaven is •is Dwelling-place. Now where […] mans Father dwells, that is the Country, that is the Home to which he does belong. Ubi Pater […] Patria. Thus it is as to the Children of God. If it should be asked, whither they are going? The answer must be, the• are going home, they are •oing to their Fathers House, to their •wn Country. And if it be asked •here is that? The answer must be, […] is Heaven; they are going thither •very day.
1. In that Heaven is their Fathers •ouse. Heaven is compared unto an •ouse: We have an House Eternal in 〈…〉 Heavens. And it is Gods House. •hrist said unto the Disciples, Joh. 4.2. In my Fathers House there •re many Mansions. He is called, •ur Heavenly Father. Heaven is •is Dwelling-place. Now where 〈…〉 mans Father dwells, that is the Countrey, that is the Home to which he does belong. Ubi Pater 〈…〉 Patria. Thus it is as to the Children of God. If it should be asked, whither they are going? The answer must be, the• are going home, they are •oing to their Fathers House, to their •wn Countrey. And if it be asked •here is that? The answer must be, 〈…〉 is Heaven; they are going thither •very day.
2. As for the Children of God they […] Born from Heaven. And then they ⟨p. 116⟩have an High Birth indeed. The Greatest man in the world that is i• an Unregenerate Estate is not so High Born, as they are who are Heaven-Born. A Noble Roman that was put to Death for his Christianity, when some pitied him because of his High Birth, said, It is not the Blood of my Progenitors, but my Christianity that makes me Noble. Gods Children are Born from above, Gal. 4.26. Jerusalem which is above, is the Mother of us all. In the City of Jerusalem there was the Lower Jerusalem and the Upper Jerusalem, called the Jerusalem above, viz. Zion, and that was a Figure of the Church of God, the Mother of all the Faithful▪Psal. 87.5. Of Zion it shall be said, This and that man, that is every man is Born there. So of the Heavenly Zion, This and that man, every man that belongs to God has been born there. The Natural Birth is on the Earth; but the New Birth is from Heaven. Regenerating Grace does not spring out of the Earth, but comes down from […] ⟨p. 117⟩[…]. As 'tis said of that Grace of spiritual Wisdom, Jam. 3.17. It […] from above. Even so, all the […] of Gods Holy Spirit which contribute to make the New man, […] descend from above. And therefore Believers in going to Heaven, do […] go to their Native Country •hence they are Born.
2. As for the Children of God they 〈…〉 Born from Heaven. And then they ⟨p. 116⟩have an High Birth indeed. The Greatest man in the world that is i• an Unregenerate Estate is not so High Born, as they are who are Heaven-Born. A Noble Roman that was put to Death for his Christianity, when some pityed him because of his High Birth, said, It is not the Blood of my Progenitors, but my Christianity that makes me Noble. Gods Children are Born from above, Gal. 4.26. I••rusalem which is above, is the Mother of us all. In the City of Ierusalem there was the Lower Ierusalem and the Upper Ierusalem, called the Ierusalem above, viz. Zion, and that was a Figure of the Church of God, the Mother of all the Faithful▪Psal. 87.5. Of Zion it shall be said, This and that man, that is every man is Born there. So of the Heavenly Zion, This and that man, every man that belongs to God has been born there. The Natural Birth is on the Earth; but the New Birth is from Heaven. Regenerating Grace does not spring out of the Earth, but comes down from 〈…〉⟨p. 117⟩〈…〉. As 'tis said of that Grace of •piritual Wisdom, Jam. 3.17. It 〈…〉 from above. Even so, all the 〈…〉 of Gods Holy Spirit which ••ntribute to make the New man, 〈…〉 descend from above. And there••re Believers in going to Heaven, do 〈…〉 go to their Native Countrey •hence they are Born.
3. As for the Children of God the […] part of their Spiritual Kindred […] in Heaven: That then and not the […] is the Country they belong […]. Their Father is there, Mat. 5.•. Your Father which is in Heaven. […] their Elder Brother is there. Our •ord Jesus Christ is the First-born of […] Brethren, and He is ascended […] Heaven. In Luk. 19.12. We •ave a Parable of a Noble man that […] into a far Country to receive […] Kingdom. Our Lord Jesus Christ […] intended by that Noble Man; and •eaven is the far Country: Thither […] He gone to receive a Kingdom. And […] of our Brethren, that are so in a spiritual sense are in Heaven. There ⟨p. 118⟩is not any Godly man in the world but has more Friends, more Spiritual Kindred in Heaven by far than he ha• on Earth. All the Righteous me• that have Dyed since Abel (the […] Righteous man that Dyed) and un•• this day, they are all in Heaven; an• they are the Brethren of Believe•• here on the Earth. Yes, and the […] Angels too who are the Nation• of Heaven, they look on Believers here on the Earth as their Younger Brethren; being Guardians to them the• are very tender of them. Accordingly when John was ready to fall down and worship the Angel, ('tis like […] thought it was not an Angel […] Christ,) Rev. 19.10. he said, Do […]; I am thy Fellow Servant, and of thy Brethren the Prophets. Believers […] on Earth, and the Angels in Heaven▪ have the same Father. God is th• Father of Angels in respect of Creation and Similitude: And He is the Father of Believers in respect of Regeneration & Adoption. The Scripture speaks of the whole▪ […] ⟨p. 119⟩and on the Earth. It is the same […] of God; only those in Hea••n are in […] •pper room▪ and those […] Earth are ••ill here below▪ So […] the greatest part of their Kin••d •s in Heaven: That then is their […].
3. As for the Children of God the 〈…〉 part of their Spiritual Kindred 〈…〉 in Heaven: That then and not the 〈…〉 is the Countrey they belong 〈…〉. Their Father is there, Mat. 5.•. Your Father which is in Heaven. 〈…〉 their Elder Brother is there. Our •ord Jesus Christ is the First-born of 〈…〉 Brethren, and He is ascended 〈…〉 Heaven. In Luk. 19.12. We •ave a Parable of a Noble man that 〈…〉 into a far Countrey to receive 〈…〉 Kingdom. Our Lord Jesus Christ 〈…〉 intended by that Noble Man; and •eaven is the far Countrey: Thither 〈…〉 He gone to receive a Kingdom. And 〈…〉 of our Brethren, that are so in a ••iritual sense are in Heaven. There ⟨p. 118⟩is not any Godly man in the worl• but has more Friends, more Spiritua• Kindred in Heaven by far than he ha• on Earth. All the Righteous me• that have Dyed since Abel (the 〈…〉 Righteous man that Dyed) and un•• this day, they are all in Heaven; an• they are the Brethren of Believe•• here on the Earth. Yes, and the 〈…〉 Angels too who are the Nation• of Heaven, they look on Believers here on the Earth as their Younger Brethren; being Guardians to them the• are very tender of them. Accordingly when Iohn was ready to fall down and worship the Angel, ('tis like thought it was not an Angel Christ,)
4. Their inheritance is in Heaven. The […] they have a right unto is there. • Pet. 1.4▪ An inheritance reserved in •eaven for you. Where a mans Inheritance is, that is his Country. Thus […] is as to Gods Children, in Heaven […] their Inheritance: They have▪ an […] there that can never be taken […] them; Heb▪ 10.34. You took the […] of your Goods joyfully, knowing […] in Heaven you have a better and a […] enduring Substance. Believers […] an Estate there that will endure, […] will never fail. The Richest […] in the world has no Estate comparable to what the meanest Saint has […] another World. All the Riches & […] of Solomon was nothing to what […] intends for His Children; Eph▪• 18. The Riches of the Glory of His ⟨p. 120⟩Inheritance. They have a Treasur• laid up there, Mat. 6 20. Lay up for your selves Treasure in Heaven. There are but very few of them that have any considerable Treasure here o• Earth, but then a vast Treasure is laid up in Heaven for them: There indeed is their All. Paulinus an Eminent Minister in the City of Nola ▪ when His House was bur•t, and all his Estate taken from him, he looked an• pointed towards Heaven, and said, Ther• is my Estate, there is my All.
4. Their inheritance is in Heaven. The 〈…〉 they have a right unto is there. • Pet. 1.4▪ An inheritance reserved in •eaven for you. Where a mans Inhe••tance is, that is his Countrey. Thus 〈…〉 is as to Gods Children, in Heaven 〈…〉 their Inheritance: They have▪ an 〈…〉 there that can never be taken 〈…〉 them; Heb▪ 10.34. You took the 〈…〉 of your Goods joyfully, knowing 〈…〉 in Heaven you have a better and a 〈…〉•nd•ring Substance. Believers 〈…〉 an Estate there that will endure, 〈…〉 will never fail. The Richest 〈…〉 in the world has no Estate com••rable to what the meanest Saint has 〈…〉 another World. All the Riches & 〈…〉 of Solomon was nothing to what 〈…〉 intends for His Children; Eph▪• 18. The Riches of the Glory of His ⟨p. 120⟩Inheritance. They have a Treasur• laid up there, Mat. 6 20. Lay up for your selves Treasure in Heaven. There are but very few of them that have any considerable Treasure here o• Earth, but then a vast Treasure is laid up in Heaven for them: There indeed is their All. Paulinus an Eminent Minister in the City of Nola ▪ when His House was bur•t, and all his Estate taken from him, he looked an• pointed towards Heaven, and said, Ther• is my E•tate, there is my All.
5. Heaven is the place where they shall abta• longest: Therefore that is their Home, the Country which they belong to. A Sojourner does not abide so long in the Country he passeth through, as in his own Country▪ There is no Comparison between our abode on the Earth, and in tha• World whither we are going. God Promised concerning His People o• Old, 2 Samuel 7.10. That they should have a Place of their Own, out of which they should not be removed. This is fulfilled unto the Elect of God. ⟨p. 121⟩•eaven is a Place of their own: And •is a Place out of which they shall […] be removed. As for their Earth•• Habitations, they must be remo••d out of them never to come into ••em any more: Job 7.10. He shall •urn to his House no more; neither shall […] Place know him any more▪ But as […] their House in Heaven, they shall […] be removed out of that for ever•here they are in Everlasting Habita•••ns, Luk 16.9. When once the Children of God are got home, when once […] are housed in Heaven, there they ••all be to all Eternity. Therefore •avid could say, Psal. 23. ult. Goodness and Mercy shall follow me all my •ayes, and I shall dwell in the House of […] Lord for Ever. Heaven is that •ouse of the Lord in which His Children shall dwell for ever. Thus we […] that not Earth but Heaven is the […] belonging unto the Servants of […]; therefore they are said to be •••angers here. The Believer may […] this Earth Gershom, (as M•se• did […] Son) saying, I am a Stranger in a ⟨p. 122⟩Strange Land. But Heaven is thei• Country. It was well replied by one o• the Ancients▪ who when he was threatened with Banishment for his Religion You (said he to his Persecutors) cannot Banish me out of my own Country Not Earth but Heaven is my Country and Banish me out of that if you can▪ You may hasten me to my own Country but you can never turn me out of it.
5. Heaven is the place where they shall abta• longest: Therefore that is their Home, the Countrey which they belong to. A Sojourner does not abide so long in the Countrey he passeth through, as in his own Countrey▪ There is no Comparison between our abode on the Earth, and in tha• World whither we are going. God Promised concerning His People o• Old, 2 Samuel 7.10. That they should have a Place of their Own, out of which they should not be removed. This is fulfilled unto the Elect of God. ⟨p. 121⟩•eaven is a Place of their own: And •is a Place out of which they shall 〈…〉 be removed. As for their Earth•• Habitations, they must be remo••d out of them never to come into ••em any more: Job 7.10. He shall •urn to his House no more; neither shall 〈…〉 Place know him any more▪ But as 〈…〉 their House in Heaven, they shall 〈…〉 be removed out of that for ever•here they are in Everlasting Habita•••ns, Luk 16.9. When once the Chil••en of God are got home, when once 〈…〉 are housed in Heaven, there they ••all be to all Eternity. Therefore •avid could say, Psal. 23. ult. Good•ess and Mercy shall follow me all my •ayes, and I shall dwell in the House of 〈…〉 Lord for Ever. Heaven is that ouse of the Lord in which His Chilen shall dwell for ever. Thus we that not Earth but Heaven is the belonging unto the Servants of ; therefore they are said to be angers here. The Believer may this Earth Gershom, (as Mse did Son) saying, I am a Stranger in a
2. As for Strangers and Sojourners many times their Dignity and Worth […] not known. Sometimes a Prince do•• Travel Incognito in Foreign Countries and then he is taken to be but a• ordinary man. And thus it is wit• Gods Children, who are like Prince in a Disguise in this world: […] world little knows, little thinks tha• they are persons of such Worth […] Dignity as indeed they are; Psal. 4• 16. Thou makest thy Children to […] Princes in all the Earth. The Children of Christ are Princes in the Earth ▪ A•e, but they are not known to […] such They are thought by the […] not to be as indeed they are; as oft••⟨p. 123⟩[…] is with Strangers and Sojourners▪ […] thus it was with our Lord JESUS CHRIST: He was as to His Humane •ature of the Royal Family of Da••d; and Born unto a Crown & Kingdom: Therefore the Wise men said, […]. 2.2. Where is He that is Born […] of the Jews? That they knew ••deed by Divine Revelation: but o••ers did not know it. Christ was […] King Messiah, whom God had pro••sed to send into the world to be […] Saviour of it: The world did […] take Him to be such an one; Joh. •▪ 10. He was in the world, and the ••rld knew Him not. And the Jews themselves, although' they did expect the ••ming of the Messiah at that very […] that Christ came, yet they did […] know that our Lord Jesus was […]. He came to His own, and His […] received Him not. Nay, some of […] own Relations, some that according to the Flesh were near a-kin to […], yet did not know that He was […] King Messiah which they did ex••ct to come into the world. Therefore ⟨p. 124⟩Christ says, Psal. 69.8. I am a Stranger to my Brethren, and an Alien to my Mothers Children. Had the world known that He had been such an One as He truly was, they would never have dealt by Him as they did▪ If they had known that He had been the Lord of Glory, they would not have Crucified Him. Our Lord Jesus Christ with respect to His Person is the Eternal Son of God, but there were very few that knew Him to be so, while He was a Stranger and Sojourner on the Earth. The Jews when they saw Him hanging on the Cross, mocked and derided at His being the Son of God, Mat. 27.40▪ He said He was the Son of God, Le• Him come down from the Cross, and we will believe Him. Thus did they mock Him.
2. As for Strangers and S•j•urners many times their Dignity and Worth 〈…〉 not known. Sometimes a Prince do•• Travel Incognito in Forreign Countrie• and then he is taken to be but a• ordinary man. And thus it is wit• Gods Children, who are like Princ• in a Disguise in this world: 〈…〉 world little knows, little thinks tha• they are persons of such Worth 〈…〉 Dignity as indeed they are; Psal. 4• 16. Thou makest thy Children to 〈…〉 Princes in all the Earth. The Chi••dren of Christ are Princes in the Eart•▪ A•e, but they are not known to 〈…〉 such They are thought by the 〈…〉 not to be as indeed they are; as oft••⟨p. 123⟩〈…〉 is with Strangers and Sojourners▪〈…〉 thus it was with our Lord JESUS •HRIST: He was as to His Humane •ature of the Royal Family of Da••d; and Born unto a Crown & King••m: Therefore the Wise men said, 〈…〉. 2.2. Where is He that is Born 〈…〉 of the Iews? That they knew ••deed by Divine Revelation: but o••ers did not know it. Christ was 〈…〉 King Messiah, whom God had prosed to send into the world to be Saviour of it: The world did take Him to be such an one; Joh. 10. He was in the world, and the rld knew Him not. And the Iews emselves, altho' they did expect the ming of the Messiah at that very that Christ came, yet they did know that our Lord Jesus was . He came to His own, and His received Him not. Nay, some of own Relations, some that accordg to the Flesh were near a-kin to , yet did not know that He was King Messiah which they did exct to come into the world. Therefore
And thus it falls out with the Children of God, they are Strangers in the world on this account, for that the world knows not what they are▪ They are the Adopted Children of God, but the world knows not that they are so. They are Persons of the greatest Worth and Excellency of any ⟨p. 125⟩••at live on the Earth, Psal. 16.3. The […] are the Excellent in the Earth. […] the world does not take them to […] so, because their worth is not that which appears outwardly to a Carnal […]. It is in the Grace which they […] adorned with. The Righteous is […] Excellent than his Neighbour. It […] their Righteousness, their Holiness ••at makes them more Excellent; ••at's invisible, a Carnal Eye can't be••ld it. The Kings Daughter is all […] within. Believers have an eternal Glory, known to the Lord. •hey have not (it may be) Outward Ornaments to set them forth be••re the world, but they have that ornament which is of great Price in […] sight of God; so are they the Excellent in the Earth. The most Wor••y men that have been on this Earth, […] been no more regarded than •••grims in Beggars Clothes would […] been, Heb 11.38. They […] about in Sheep-skins▪ and […]. The poor Servants of God […] were fain to go in Leathern ⟨p. 126⟩Clothes, tis said▪ the world was not worthy of them. This evil world was not worthy that such men should live long in it. The holy Prophets were the worthiest men that lived on the Earth in their Days, and yet the world did despise them, and treat them very unworthily. The world did revile them, and speak all manner of evil of them. The holy Apostles were among the Worthiest of men in the world in their Days, and yet they were not esteemed as such, but were treated as men of no worth; 1 Cor▪ 4.13. We are made the Filth of […] world, and the Off-•••ring of all things▪ So then they were l•ke Strangers and Sojourners, whose Worth was no• known.
And thus it falls out with the Children of God, they are Strangers in the world on this account, for that the world knows not what they are▪ They are the Adopted Children of God, but the world knows not that they are so. They are Persons of the greatest Worth and Excellency of any ⟨p. 125⟩••at live on the Earth, Psal. 16.3. The 〈…〉 are the Excellent in the Earth. 〈…〉 the world does not take them to 〈…〉 so, because their worth is not that •hich appears outwardly to a Carnal 〈…〉. It is in the Grace which they 〈…〉 adorned with. The Righteous is 〈…〉 Excellent than his Neighbour. It 〈…〉 their Righteousness, their Holiness ••at makes them more Excellent; ••at's invisible, a Carnal Eye can't be••ld it. The Kings Daughter is all 〈…〉 within. Believers have an •ternal Glory, known to the Lord. •hey have not (it may be) Out••rd Ornaments to set them forth be••re the world, but they have that ••nament which is of great Price in 〈…〉 sight of God; so are they the Ex••llent in the Earth. The most Wor••y men that have been on this Earth, 〈…〉 been no more regarded than •••grims in Beggars Cloathes would 〈…〉 been, Heb 11.38. They 〈…〉 about in Sheep-skins▪ and 〈…〉. The poor Servants of God were fain to go in Leathern
3. Strangers, Pilgrims, Travellers use to be inquisitive concerning the way to the place whither they are going, […] they should mistake the right way▪ And so it is with the Servants of God▪ they are inquisitive concerning th• way to Heaven: They •re asking after that way with great […] ⟨p. 127⟩of Soul; Jer. 50.5. They ask the way […] Zion with their Faces thither-ward, •eeping as they go. Thus are the Children of God Enquiring the way to the Heavenly Zion, and that with great •are and mournful frames, lest they •hould mistake their way. They do •o sooner take one step in the way to •eaven, but they are very inquisitive •bout that matter. As we see in •he Converted Goaler, Act. 16.30. He was no sooner beginning to set himself in the way to Heaven, but he •akes a very solicitous Enquiry. What ••all I do to be Saved? What must I do •o get to Heaven? That I might take •he right way that will bring me thither? They know that the way of •he Commandment is the way to Hea•en, and therefore are very desirous •hat they might know that way, that […] may be Revealed to them: Thus David, Psal. 119.19. I am a Stranger […] the Earth, hide not thy Commandments […]. As if he had said, Wilt thou […] tell a Stranger the way? Any […] that has common Ingenuity in ⟨p. 128⟩him if a Stranger ask the way, he will tell him. I am a Stranger, and wilt thou not tell me the way to Heaven? Surely thou wilt. Oh! hide not thy Commandments from me▪ since that is the way. These are the Desires of a Child of God. And when once they are set in the right way, they are very solicitous that they may not go out of it again: As in ver. 10. O let me not wander from thy Commandments. And if they have missed their way & gone astray, then are they exceeding desirous (as Travellers are wont to be) that they may be returned into their way again: Last ver. I have gone astray like a Lost Sheep, seek thou me. He Prayeth that he might be sought out, and set in the way in which he shouldst go.
3. Strangers, Pilgrims, Travellers use to be inquisitive concerning the way to the place whither they are going, 〈…〉 they should mistake the right way▪ And so it is with the Servants of God▪ they are inquisitive concerning th• way to Heaven: They •re asking after that way with great 〈…〉⟨p. 127⟩of Soul; Jer. 50.5. They ask the way 〈…〉 Sion with their Faces thither-ward, •eeping as they go. Thus are the Children of God Enquiring the way to the Heavenly Sion, and that with great •are and mournful frames, lest they •hould mistake their way. They do •o sooner take one step in the way to •eaven, but they are very inquisitive •bout that matter. As we see in •he Converted Goaler, Act. 16.30. He was no sooner beginning to set •imself in the way to Heaven, but he •akes a very solicitous Enquiry. What ••all I do to be Saved? What must I do •o get to Heaven? That I might take •he right way that will bring me thi•her? They know that the way of •he Commandment is the way to Hea•en, and therefore are very desirous •hat they might know that way, that 〈…〉 may be Revealed to them: Thus David, Psal. 119.19. I am a Stranger 〈…〉 the Earth, hide not thy Commandments . As if he had said, Wilt thou tell a Stranger the way? Any that has common Ingenuity in
4. They that are not only Strangers but Sojourners, do not abide long where they are. And thus it is with the Servants of God▪ they abide not long where they are: They are Sojourners, they are Travelling, there is none […] •iding for them here: Mic. 2.18. […] ⟨p. 129⟩[…], depart ye; this is not your Rest. So •ust it be said to the Lords Servants […] the Earth, This is not your Rest. […] must depart from hence, and that •eedily; and therefore their Life on ••rth is said to be a Pilgrimage; Gen. •.9. Jacob said, The Days of my Pil•••mage have been Few and Evil. The ••fference between a Stranger & a Sojour••• or Pilgrim is this; A Stranger may continue longer in a place than a Sojourner or Pilgrim. A Stranger one […] another Nation, may settle in a •and that is not his Native Country. […] is said to be a Stranger because […] Born in the Land. But a Sojourner or Pilgrim, is one that stays but […] a while: It may be he Lodgeth […] a Night, and is gone the next day. […] an one is a Way-faring-man, here […] day, and gone to-morrow; Jer. 4.8. Why should thou be as a Stranger, […] a Way-faring-man, that turns in & […] for a Night? Thus it is with […] Children here on the Earth, this world is only their Inn, not their […]. As we shall see further in the […] Proposition.
4. They that are not only Strangers but Sojourners, do not abide long where they are. And thus it is with the Servants of God▪ they abide not long where they are: They are Sojourners, they are Travelling, there is none 〈…〉•iding for them here: Mic. 2.18. 〈…〉⟨p. 129⟩〈…〉, depart ye; this is not your Rest. So •ust it be said to the Lords Servants 〈…〉 the Earth, This is not your Rest. 〈…〉 must depart from hence, and that •eedily; and therefore their Life on ••rth is said to be a Pilgrimage; Gen. •.9. Iacob said, The Dayes of my Pil•••mage have been Few and Evil. The ••fference between a Stranger & a Sojour••• or Pilgrim is this; A Stranger may ••ntinue longer in a place than a So••urner or Pilgrim. A Stranger one 〈…〉 another Nation, may settle in a •and that is not his Native Countrey. 〈…〉 is said to be a Stranger because 〈…〉 Born in the Land. But a Sojour•er or Pilgrim, is one that stayes but 〈…〉 a while: It may be he Lodgeth 〈…〉 a Night, and is gone the next day. 〈…〉 an one is a Way-faring-man, here 〈…〉 day, and gone to-morrow; Jer. 4.8. Why should thou be as a Stranger, 〈…〉 a Way-faring-man, that turns in & 〈…〉 for a Night? Thus it is with 〈…〉 Children here on the Earth, this •orld is only their Inn, not their 〈…〉. As we shall see further in the 〈…〉 Proposition.
That men have but a Little Time to be on the Earth. Here their Days are as a Shadow, and there is non• abiding; here they don't dwell, bu• only sojourn. The comparison of • Shadow is used to set forth the Electing condition of men in this world. To the same purpose Solomon has […] Eccl. 6.12. His Vain Life which he spend• as a Shadow. Yea, the Life of man is compared to a Declining Shadow; Ps. 102.11. My Days are like a Shadow […] Declineth. When a Shadow begins t• Decline, it grows less and less by degrees, and is quickly gone. Or, a• the Original word imports▪ a […] that is Extended ▪ that is in Evening Shadow. You observe▪ that when ti• almost […] then is the greatest Shadow, and that Extended Shadow does in a very little time ••nish into Darkness. Truly so it is as to the Life of man here in this world; it i• a Shadow that soon vanishes away▪ And the Life of man now is very shor• compared with what once it was. […] ⟨p. 131⟩•n the Beginning or first Ages of the world▪ lived much longer on the Earth •han they do now, or have done for these many Ages last past. Before •he Flood some Lived Seven, Eight, •ea Nine Hundred Years and more▪ The first man that ever was made did •bide on the Earth Nine Hundred & Thirty Years. Methuselah lived Nine Hundred and Sixty Nine Years. But within Eight Hundred Years after the Flood, the Age of man was wonderfully Contracted. In Moses's time, which was Eight Hundred Years after the Flood, & more than Three Thousand Years ago, Psal. 90.10. Our Days (said he) are Three-score Years and •en; and if they do amount to Four-•core, they are Sorrow and Trouble. •t is very rare for men to live longer •han that. Indeed, there have been •f Later Time some that have lived above an Hundred Years. Several in •ur own Nation, have lived above an •undred and Fifty Years. One that •yed lately in an Island belonging to Scotland, is said to have lived an Hundred ⟨p. 132⟩and Eighty Seven Years. But such instances are exceeding rare Nay, where there is one that lives to Seventy, there are many that attain no• to that Age. But if a man should live an Hundred Years and more, that is but a little while. Jacob when he was an Hundred and Thirty Years old said, Gen. 47 9▪ Few have my Da•es been. The Truth before us appears from several things.
That men have but a Little Time to be on the Earth. Here their Dayes are as a Shadow, and there is non• abiding; here they don't dwell, bu• only sojourn. The comparison of • Shadow is used to set forth the Electing condition of men in this world. To the same purpose Solomon has 〈…〉Eccl. 6.12. His Vain Life which he spend• as a Shadow. Yea, the Life of man is compared to a Declining Shadow; Ps. 102.11. My Days are like a Shadow 〈…〉 Declineth. When a Shadow begins t• Decline, it grows less and less by degrees, and is quickly gone. Or, a• the Original word imports▪ a 〈…〉 that is Extended ▪ that is in E•ening Shadow. You observe▪ that when ti• almost 〈…〉 then is the greates• Shadow, and that Extended Shadow does in a very little time ••nish into Darkness. Truly so it is as to the Life of man here in this world; it i• a Shadow that soon vanishes away▪ And the Life of man now is very shor• compared with what once it was. 〈…〉⟨p. 131⟩•n the Beginning or first Ages of the •orld▪ lived much longer on the Earth •han they do now, or have done for these many Ages last past. Before •he Flood some Lived Seven, Eight, •ea Nine Hundred Years and more The first man that ever was made did bide on the Earth Nine Hundred & Thirty Years. Methuselah lived Nine Hundred and Sixty Nine Years. But ithin Eight Hundred Years after the Flood, the Age of man was wonderully Contracted. In Moses's time, hich was Eight Hundred Years after the Flood, & more than Three Thousand Years ago,
1. The Duration of this world as to the […] F•rm o• it, will soon be at an end: 1 Cor. 7.31. The fashion of this world […] away. The Scripture often speaks of a wonderful Change which this Visible world shall be subject unto; Mat. 24.35. Heaven an• Earth sh•ll pass away: 2 Pet. 3.10, 11. The Heavens shall pass away with a great […]; the Elements shall melt with Fervent Heat: The Earth and the Works of it shall be bur•t up. All these things shall be Dissolved. It will be so, and within a little time too. Some Divines have thought▪ […] as the Earth is the place […] men have Sinned, ⟨p. 133⟩[…] that they who Dye with their Sins •npardoned, shall be Punished there: •hat the place of their Sinning shall […] the place of their Torment; and •hat therefore this Earth shall be turned into Hell. And many Writers, •ot only Christians Ancient & Modern, but the Jews also, have thought •is present world should not last a•ove Six Thousand Years, as it was •ade in Six Days; and if so, within • few Generations it comes to an end. however, it is but a few Days compared •ith Eternity. What is Six or Seven thousand Years, compared with Eternity? It is but as so many Days, nay […] a few Hours; Psal. 90▪4. A Thousand Years is as One Day in the sight of […]. Yea, as a Watch of the Night. • Watch of the Night, it is but for ••ree or Four Hours; a Thousand •ears compared to Eternity are but as […]: yea, less than that. David ••erefore says concerning his own […], Psal. 39.5. Thou hast made mine […] as Nothing. So may we say of […] Age of this present World, it ⟨p. 134⟩is as nothing before the Eternal God.
1. The Duration of this world as to the 〈…〉 F•rm o• it, will soon be at an end: 1 Cor. 7.31. The •ashion of this world 〈…〉 away. The Scripture often speaks of a wonderful Change which this Visible world shall be subject unto; Mat. 24.35. Heaven an• Earth sh•ll pass away: 2 Pet. 3.10, 11. The Heavens shall pass away with a grea•〈…〉; the Elements shall melt with Ferven• Heat: The Earth and the Works of it shall be bur•t up. All these things shall be Diss•lved. It will be so, and within a little time too. Some Divines have thought▪〈…〉 as the Earth is the place 〈…〉 men have Sinned, ⟨p. 133⟩〈…〉 that they who Dye with their Sins •npardoned, shall be Punished there: •hat the place of their Sinning shall 〈…〉 the place of their Torment; and •hat therefore this Earth shall be turn•d into Hell. And many Writers, •ot only Christians Ancient & Mo•ern, but the Jews also, have thought •is present world should not last a•ove Six Thousand Years, as it was •ade in Six Dayes; and if so, within • few Generations it comes to an end. owever, it is but a few Days compared ith Eternity. What is Six or Seven housand Years, compared with Eterty? It is but as so many Dayes, nay a few Hours;
2. The Experience of all Ages d•es Confirm the Truth before us. One Generation goeth, and another comes; but there is no man does live throughout all Generations. How many have there been in the world that are dead and gone out of it? Some have made their Conjecture, that there have been besides those now living▪ Twenty Thousand Millions of men in the world since the Creation. But of all those Thousands of Millions, there is not one of them to be seen upon the face of the Earth. And how many Millions are there now living? Some late Writers have made their Conjectures about that also. The Learned V•ssius supposeth Two Hundred Millions▪ Another Three Hundred & Twenty Millions. Another, that there are Nine Hundred and Sixty Millions o• men in the world. How many there are is known to God, and to no man; but be their Number more or less they will all be gone in a very little time. Hence Jo• speaking of the Grave ⟨p. 135⟩says, Innumerable are gone before, and •very man is following, Job 21.32. A Famous Emperor having a mighty Army▪ consisting of Seventeen Hun•red Thousand Soldiers, he ascended […] Hill to view them, and when he •pok'd on them he fell a weeping▪ because (said he) in less than an Hun•red Years every one of ••ese men •ill be Dead. So that the Experience of all Ages convinces men that •hey are but Sojourners on th• Earthpunc; Yea, and Experience teaches us, that Gods Servants are but Sojourners here. •hey as soon go out of the world as •ther men; Psal. 49.10 Wise men Dye as well as the Fool and Brutish person. Not only Brutish persons, that live as •f they had▪ no immortal Souls; that •ive as if there were no world bu• this▪•ut Godly Wise men are subject by Death, to be removed ou• of this world as well as others: Your Fathers •here are they? And the Prophets▪ d••hey Live for Ever? The Prophets, the servants of God do they live •or ever? No, on this Earth they are sojourners ▪⟨p. 136⟩and quickly remove. Men can not possibly preserve either their own life, or of those that are dear unto them, when once their appointed time is come. He can't by any means Redeem his Brother, that he should live for ever, and not see Corruption. A man has not power in the day of Death, he can't retain his Spirit; he can't keep his immortal Soul in his Body any longer when once Arrested by Death.
2. The Experience of all Ages d•es Confirm the Truth before us. One Generation goeth, and another comes; but there is no man does live thro'out all Generations. How many have there been in the world that are dead and gone out of it? Some have made their Conj•cture, that there have been besides those now living▪ Twenty Thousand Millions of men in the world since the Creation. But of all those Thousands of Millions, there is not one of them to be seen upon the face of the Earth. And how many Millions are there now living? Some late Writers have made their Conjectures about th•t also. The Learned V•ssius supposeth Two Hund•ed Millions▪ Another Three Hundred & Twenty Millions. Another, that there are Nine Hundred and Sixty Millions o• men in the world. How many there are is known to God, and to no man; but be their Number more or less they will all be gone in a very little time. Hence Io• speaking of the Grave ⟨p. 135⟩sayes, Innumerable are gone before, and •very man is following, Iob 21.32. A Famous Emperor having a mighty Army▪ consisting of Seventeen Hun•red Thousand Souldiers, he ascended 〈…〉 Hill to view them, and when he •pok'd on them he fell a weeping▪ be•ause (said he) in less than an Hun•red Years every one of ••ese men •ill be Dead. So that the Experi•nce of all Ages convinces men that •hey are but Sojourners on th• Earthpunc; Yea, and Experience teaches us, that Gods Servants are but Sojour••rs here. hey as soon go out of the world as ther men;
3. The Scriptures do abundantly Testify concerning the Brevity of Life. Considering that common Experience may convince men, one would be apt to think there should be no need of the Scriptures saying any thing about it▪ Aye, but Sinners are exceeding apt to Dream of a long time in this world, especially if they live at Hearts case▪ and have the world about them▪Amos 6.3. Th•y put far away the Evi• Day, and drink Wine in Bowls. The day of Death will be an Evil day to Sinners that shall be found without an• Interest in Christ: But they put far ⟨p. 137⟩•way this Evil Day. As the Rich •ool said, Soul be merry, thou hast Goods […] up for many Years. I shall live a •ong life and a merry, thought he! Now because men are so apt to be ••cure, & to build their Nests here, as •ho' they should never be removed out •f this world, the Scripture therefore often puts them in mind of their •wn Frailty, and that they must soon […] gone; 1 Cor. 7.29. This I say, brethren, the Time is short. The time •f your being here on Earth is but ••ort. And thence the Time here is ••ckoned by that of Days, Psal. 90.•2. Teach us to Number our Days. •he longest liver in the world does •ot live so long, but it is an easy matter to number all his Days; to tell •ow many Days his Life has been. •he Scripture Illustrates this by Comparisons. Hence David says, Psal. •9 5. that his Days are but an Hands-breadth. My Life (says he) is bu•• Span long. The life of man is com••red to a vanishing Vapour: Jam. • 14. What is your Life? It is even a ⟨p. 138⟩Vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. Therefore men are compa•ed to Flowers, yea, to the Flower of the Field, Psal. 103▪15▪ A Flower is soon nipped and bl•sted an• the Flowers in the Field are more exposed to blasting than the Flowers in the Garden. The Life of man is said to Flee away, Job 14.1, 2. Man that is Born of woman is of few Days, •e comes forth as a Flower, and is cut down▪ he fleeth also as a Shadow, and continues not. The Sojourners on the Earth are posting, yea flying out of it; Job 9.25, 26. My Days (says he) are swifter than a Post, or a Ship under Sail, or an Eagle hasting to the Prey. A man that goes Post quickly comes to his Journey's end. Ships at Sea, if they have a fair wind, and Sail Day and Night, quickly comes to the desired Haven.
3. The Scriptures do abundantly Testify concerning the Brevity of Life. Considering that common Experience may convince men, one would be apt to think there should be no need of the Scriptures saying any thing about it▪ Aye, but Sinners are exceeding apt to Dream of a long time in this world, especially if they live at Hearts case▪ and have the world about them▪Amos 6.3. Th•y put far away the Evi• Day, and drink Wine in Bowls. The day of Death will be an Evil day to Sinners that shall be found without an• Interest in Christ: But they put far ⟨p. 137⟩•way this Evil Day. As the Rich •ool said, Soul be merry, thou hast Goods 〈…〉 up for many Years. I shall live a •ong life and a merry, thought he! Now because men are so apt to be ••cure, & to build their Nests here, as •ho' they should never be removed out •f this world, the Scripture there•ore often puts them in mind of their •wn Frailty, and that they must soon 〈…〉 gone; 1 Cor. 7.29. This I say, •rethren, the Time is short. The time •f your being here on Earth is but ••ort. And thence the Time here is ••ckoned by that of Dayes, Psal. 90.•2. Teach us to Number our Dayes. •he longest liver in the world does •ot live so long, but it is an easy mat•er to number all his Dayes; to tell ow many Dayes his Life has been. he Scripture Illustrates this by Comrisons. Hence David sayes, Psal. 9 5. that his Dayes are but an Hands-eadth. My Life (sayes he) is bu Span long. The life of man is comred to a vanishing Vapour: Jam. 14. What is your Life? It is even a
But then a Bir•••yes swifter than a Ship can Sail, or […] Post can run or ride; and the Eagle is the swiftest of all Birds, and whe•• hastening to the Prey flies more swiftly than ordinary. These Scriptur•⟨p. 139⟩similitudes are used to set forth the shortness of mans time on Earth. And Job has another Comparison, Job 7.6. My Days (says he) are swifter than Weavers Shuttle. The Weavers Shuttle ••ies from one end of the Web to the •ther in a moment of time▪ This is spoken to show how men are hastening out of the world; that they are Sojourners on the Earth, that their Days •re as a Shadow, and that there is none abiding.
But then a Bir•••yes swifter than a Ship can Sail, or 〈…〉 Post can run or ride; and the Eagl• is the swiftest of all Birds, and whe•• hastening to the Prey flies more swiftly than ordinary. These Scriptur•⟨p. 139⟩•imilitudes are used to set forth the •hortness of mans time on Earth. And Iob has another Comparison, Job 7.6. My Dayes (sayes he) are swifter than Weavers Shuttle. The Weavers Shuttle ••ies from one end of the Web to the •ther in a moment of time▪ This is spoken to shew how men are hastening out of the world; that they are Soj•urners on the Earth, that their Dayes •re as a Shadow, and that there is none abiding.
The Servants of God are very Sensible of this. They are sensible that […] is not their Home: That there •s another Country, and indeed another World that they are hastening •nto▪ They Esteem Heaven and not […] as their Country. And therefore they do on all occasions make a •ree open Confession of it. They are •ot (as they have no cause to be) •shamed of their Country. It is said of the Patriarchs, that they Confessed they were Strangers & Pilgrims on the Earth, Heb. 11▪13. Abraham made that Confession ⟨p. 140⟩before the Children of Heat, Gen· 23.4. And Jacob made that Confession before King Pharaoh and all his Courtiers, Gen. 47 9 The Years of my Pilgrimage: I have not attained to the Years of my Fathers in their Pilgrimage. I (says he) and my Fathers before me, Abraham and Isaac were Pilgrims here on the Earth, confessing their being bound for another Country. And David did often make this Confession: Not only in the Scripture now under our Consideration; but in Psal. 39 12. I am a Stranger and a Sojourner, as all my Fathers were▪ And, Psal. 119 64. Thy Statutes have been my Song in the House of my Pilgrimage. He did not look on this world as his Home, but only as the House of his Pilgrimage. And therefore the Servants of God are very sensible that they have but a little Time to be in this world. Thus Job, Job 16. ult. When a few Years are come, I shall go the way whence I shall not return. And as Age comes upon them, the sense of this does and may well increase ⟨p. 141⟩in them. Therefore Old Bar••llai said, 2 Sam. 19.34. How long […] I to Live? That is to say, I have […] long to live: I have but a very ••ttle Time more to be here in the world The like we see in Isaac, Gen. •• 2. I am Old, and know not the day of […] Death. He did not know but that •e might Dye before another Day, […] therefore would dispatch a matter […] was of great moment that very […]. It is true, that Isaac lived Forty Three Years after that, nevertheless •hen he considered his Old age, he […] not expect to have lived so long. •nd we find that David Prayed that […] might have more of the sense of […] upon his own heart, Psal. 39.4. Make me to know mine End, and the •easure of my Days, and how frail I am. […] is Faith in the Servants of God, that […] them to have a sense hereof. […] is said of Abraham, Heb. 11.9. That […] Faith he Sojourned in the Land, as in […] Strange Country.
The Servants of God are very Sen••ble of this. They are sensible that 〈…〉 is not their Home: That there •s another Countrey, and indeed another World that they are hastening •nto▪ They Esteem Heaven and not 〈…〉 as their Countrey. And therefore they do on all occasions make a •ree open Confession of it. They are •ot (as they have no cause to be) •shamed of their Countrey. It is said of the Patriarks, that they Confessed they were Strangers & Pilgrims on the Earth, Heb. 11▪13. Abraham made that Confession ⟨p. 140⟩before the Children of Het•, Gen· 23.4. And Iacob made that Confession before King Pharoah and all his Courtiers, Gen. 47 9 The Years of my Pilgrimage: I have not attained to the Years of my Fathers in their Pilgrimage. I (sayes he) and my Fathers before me, Abraham and Isaac were Pilgrims here on the Earth, confessing their being bound for another Countrey. And David did often make this Confession: Not only in the Scripture now under our Consideration; but in Psal. 39 12. I am a Stranger and a Sojourner, as all my Fathers were▪ And, Psal. 119 64. Thy Statutes have been my Song in the House of my Pilgrimage. He did not look on this world as his Home, but only as the House of his Pilgrimage. And therefore the Servants of God are very sensible that they have but a little Time to be in this world. Thus Iob, Job 16. ult. When a few Years are come, I shall go the way whence I shall not return. And as Age comes upon them, the sense of this does and may well increase ⟨p. 141⟩in them. Therefore Old Bar••llai said,
It was his Faith […] made him sensible of his being […] a Sojourner in the world as he ⟨p. 142⟩was. Faith in Gods Children hath • Three-fold Good Effect upon them.
It was his Faith 〈…〉 made him sensible of his being 〈…〉 a Sojourner in the world as he ⟨p. 142⟩was. Faith in Gods Children hath • Three-fold Good Effect upon them.
1. It makes them see the Reality an• Excellency of things that are Invisible▪ One has well observed that Earthly minded men are apt to believe nothing but what they see with their Bodily Eyes, and that what is spoken concerning an Invisible World, is […] and not Reality. But to Faith Invis• ble things are as real as those that are Visible▪Heb. 11.1. Faith is […] Substance of things hoped for, and […] Evidence of things not seen. Things belonging to the Invisible world▪ things that are of an Heavenly Nature, & that are not seen with Bodily Eyes, Faith gives a Substance to them: It makes them Real. The Eye of Faith sees that which the Natural Eye cannot see. Moses by Faith saw Him that is Invisible. That Heavenly World which is the Country the Children of God do belong unto it can't be seen by men here on the Earth. It is a far Country, and the sight of a Mortal Eye cannot reach so ⟨p. 143⟩[…]; but then it is seen with an Eye •f Faith, so as that the Believer does •o more doubt that there is an Hea•en, than that there is an Earth which […] Eyes behold, and his Feet tread upon every Day; Heb▪ 11.3. By Faith […] understand that the Worlds were •amed. The Worlds in the Plural •u•ber; not only the Terrestrial world, but the Celestial Wo•ld that out of sight, by Faith we know […] there is such a World, and that is a Glorious World: Eph. 1▪18. Ha••ng your Understandings Enlightened, […] you may know the Riches of the […], &c. It is by Faith that the •ind of the Believer is Enlightened to […] the Riches of the Glory of the heavenly World. Yea, that it is so glorious as is inexpressible & uncon••veable by mortal men; 1 Cor. 2.•▪ Eye hath not seen, Ear hath not heard; […] hath it entered into the Heart of […], the things which God hath prepared […] them that Love Him. The world-minded man says, 'tis good to be the Earth still; he would be always ⟨p. 144⟩abiding here. But the Believer says of Heaven, as Peter said of being in the Holy Mount, when he was with Christ there, & with Glorified Saints, Mat 17▪4 It is g•od to be he•e. So says the Believer concerning Heaven, It is […] to be there. The Apostle thought that to be with Christ is m•ch be•ter tha• to be in t•is World. And the Psalm••t said, O•e Day in t•y Courts is better t•an a […] el•e-w•ere. So says […] Believer, his F•ith makes him t• […] and say, One Day in Heaven is b••ter th•n never so many here on Earth.
1. It makes them see the Reality an• Excellency of things that are Invisible▪ One has well observed that Earthly minded men are apt to believe nothing but what they see with their Bodily Eyes, and that what is spoken concerning an Invisible World, is 〈…〉 and not Reality. But to Faith Invis• ble things are as real as those that are Visible▪Heb. 11.1. Faith is 〈…〉 Substance of things hoped for, and 〈…〉 Evidence of things not seen. Things belonging to the Invisible world▪ things that are of an Heavenly Nature, & that are not seen with Bodily Eyes, Faith gives a Substance to them: It makes them Real. The Eye of Faith sees that which the Na••ral Eye cannot see. Moses by Fait• saw Him that is Invisible. That Heavenly World which is the Countrey the Children of God do b•long unto it can't be seen by men here on the Earth. It is a far Countrey, and the sight of a Mortal Eye cannot reach so ⟨p. 143⟩〈…〉; but then it is seen with an Eye •f Faith, so as that the Believer does •o more doubt that there is an Hea•en, than that there is an Earth which 〈…〉 Eyes behold, and his Feet tread •pon every Day; Heb▪ 11.3. By Faith 〈…〉 understand that the Worlds were •amed. The Worlds in the Plural •u•ber; not only the Terrestial •orld, but the Caelestial Wo•ld that out of sight, by Faith we know 〈…〉 there is such a World, and that is a Glorious World:
2 •aith make• the Believer see & b• sensible of the Va•it• of al• th•ngs here below: T•at they […]; Psa•▪ 39 6. E•e•y man at hi• best […] is altogether V••ity; they walk in a vain […]: and they disquiet themselves i• Va•n. Vain Vain! (Says the Psalmist) yea Vanity i• self, and altogether so A•l the Pomp of this world is but an Empty show. Faith will m•ke […] thus t• trample upon all […] things as Vanity. […] ⟨p. 145⟩[…] the Church is represented, Rev. •.1▪ as having the […] under her […]. There is a Vanity in all Earth•• Enjoyments on a Double account: […] in that they cannot Satisfy. […] when they set themselves to seek ••ese things, what do they do? They […] for that which will not satisfy! •he Believer is sensible of it▪ he says, cannot find that here on Earth that know is in mine own Country: All ••ings here below they can't satisfy •y Soul: But by Faith I have seen […] in Heaven which will satisfy my […]. God is there, and Christ is •ere; and with His likeness I shall be •••isfied. And Faith will make a man […] that these things are Vain, because […] are Transitory: They soon come […] an End. They are like a shadow▪ that th•y soon vanish & disappear, […]. 119.96. I have seen an End of all ••fection: But thy Commandment is […] Broad▪ All Perfection, all the happiness that this world can afford▪ […] soon come to an end. I have […] (says D•vi• ) that the Pleasures, ⟨p. 146⟩Riches, Honours of this world have no perfect Happiness to be found in them▪ But the Commandment directs men in the way to Heaven, that great Commandment, Believe on Jesus Christ the Son of God, sets men into the only way to Heaven, where Perfect and Eternal Happiness is to be Enjoyed.
2 •aith make• the Believer see & b• sensible of the Va•it• of al• th•ngs here below: T•at they 〈…〉; Psa•▪ 39 6. E•e•y man at hi• best 〈…〉 is altogether V••ity; they walk in a vain 〈…〉: and they disquiet themselves i• Va•n. Vain Vain! (Sayes the Psalmist) yea Vanity i• self, and altogether so A•l the Pomp of this world is but an Empty show. Faith will m•ke 〈…〉 thus t• trample upon all 〈…〉 things as Vanity. 〈…〉⟨p. 145⟩〈…〉 the Church is re•r•sented, Rev. •.1▪ as having the 〈…〉 under her 〈…〉. There is a Vanity in all Earth•• Enjoyments on a Double account: 〈…〉 in that they cannot Satisfy. 〈…〉 when they set themselves to seek ••ese things, what do they do? They 〈…〉 for that which will not satisfy! he Believer is sensible of it he says, cannot find that here on Earth that know is in mine own Countrey: All ings here below they can't satisfy y Soul: But by Faith I have seen in Heaven which will satisfy my . God is there, and Christ is ere; and with His likeness I shall be isfied. And Faith will make a man that these things are Vain, because are Transitory: They soon come an End. They are like a shadow that thy soon vanish & disappear, . 119.96. I have seen an End of all fection: But thy Commandment is Broad All Perfection, all the ppiness that this world can afford soon come to an end. I have (sayes Dvi ) that the Pleasures,
3. Faith puts the Believer upon preparing for another and a better World. And that is a sure sign that he is sensible that he is a Stranger here: If he had not a sense of that, he would never prepare for another world so as he does: He would never make it his business to prepare for Heaven, if he did dream of a long abode here below. The Believer prepares for Heaven by Repenting of Sin, and by forsaking those things which render men that indulge themselves in them, altogether unfit for the Heavenly World: 1 Pet. 2.11. As Strangers and Pilgrims, abstain from Fleshly Lusts, which War against the Soul. You are Strangers & Pilgrims (says the Apostle) ⟨p. 147⟩•oing to another Country, therefore •ust abstain from those things that •ould hinder you in your way. So •oes the Believer, he orders his Conversation as one that thinks of and prepares for another world. They […] not by Sight, but by Faith ▪ 2 Cor. •▪7. They don't see by Bodily Eyes •hat is in the other World, but by •aith they see those Glorious things, •nd therefore they Walk and order •heir Conversation accordingly. The •eliever is careful in some measure to ••ve in Heaven, yea, to be daily Conversing with Heaven while on Earth: •hil. 3 20▪ Our Conversation is in Hea•en. If the Children of God had not • sense of their being Strangers and •ojourers on Earth, their Conversation would not be in Heaven.
3. Faith puts the Believer upon preparing for another and a better World. And that is a sure sign that he is sensible that he is a Stranger here: If he had not a sense of that, he would never prepare for another world so as he does: He would never make it his business to prepare for Heaven, if he did dream of a long abode here below. The Believer prepares for Heaven by Repenting of Sin, and by forsaking those things which render men that indulge themselves in them, altogether unfit for the Heavenly World: 1 Pet. 2.11. As Strangers and P••grims, abstain from Fleshly Lusts, which War against the Soul. You are Strangers & Pilgrims (sayes the Apostle) ⟨p. 147⟩•oing to another Countrey, therefore •ust abstain from those things that •ould hinder you in your way. So •oes the Believer, he orders his Con•ersation as one that thinks of and ••epares for another world. They 〈…〉 not by Sight, but by Faith ▪ 2 Cor. •▪7. They don't see by Bodily Eyes •hat is in the other World, but by •aith they see those Glorious things, •nd therefore they Walk and order •heir Conversation accordingly. The •eliever is careful in some measure to ••ve in Heaven, yea, to be daily Con•ersing with Heaven while on Earth: •hil. 3 20▪ Our Conversation is in Hea•en. If the Children of God had not • sense of their being Strangers and •ojourers on Earth, their Conversa•ion would not be in Heaven.
Instruct. I. This should teach us Contentation, and to Moderate our •ff•ctions […] to all Earthly Enjoyments: Heb. 13.•▪ Let your Conversation be without ⟨p. 148⟩Covetousness, and be Content with such things as you have. The Consideration of the Vanity of the things here below, and that we are to be here bu• a little time, should make us Conten• if we have not much of this world. A Traveller if he has but enough to bea• his Charges till •e come home, that satisfies him. The Children of God are in a Journey to their own Country, and if they have but enough to support them until they come to their Journey's end, they should rest satisfied: And Food and Raiment is Enough. If they have that they ought to be Content. So says the Apostle, 1 Tim. 6.8 If we have Food and Raiment, let us therewith be Content. For we can carry nothing away with us. […] a man have never so much of this world, he can't carry one Penny, one Farthing with him into the othe• World. And if he could, it wou•d be •f no use to him there. As a Martyr said, I am going to a Country where Money bears no Mastery: To Heaven where Gold and Silver signifies nothing. ⟨p. 149⟩Are you the Children of God? Then what if you have but a little of this world, be not Discontented; •ou will have Riches enough when •ou get home to your own Country. There you will enjoy no less Riches •han that of a Kingdom▪ Jam 2.5. God has Chosen this Poor of the world, •ich in Faith, Heirs of a Kingdom. Then […] you have but little here below, what matters it; when you have a Kingdom reserved for you in the Country whither you are going. It was […] to the Sons of Jacob, Regard not •our Stuff, for the good of all the Land of Egypt is yours, Gen. 45 20. So may it •e said to Believers, regard not much •he things of this world, (which are •ut poor Stuff) be willing to leave •hem behind you; for all the Good of Heaven is yours. And if you abound […] Earthly Blessings, be moderate in •our Affections towards them: Psal. •2.10. If Riches increase, set not your heart upon them. Remember you are travellers! When Travellers pass through a Country, and see this and ⟨p. 150⟩that desirable thing, they set not their Hearts on them: (Especially if they have better in their own Country;) Because going away from them. So are m•n in this world going away from all their delightful Enjoyments. On the other hand;
Instruct. I. This should teach us Con••ntation, and to Moderate our •ff•ctions 〈…〉 to all Earthly Enjoyments: Heb. 13.•▪ Let your Conversation be without ⟨p. 148⟩Covetousness, and be Content with such things as you have. The Consideration of the Vanity of the things here below, and that we are to be here bu• a little time, should make us Conten• if we have not much of this world. A Traveller if he has but enough to bea• his Charges till •e come home, that satisfies him. The Children of God are in a Journey to their own Countrey, and if they have but enough to support them until they come to their Journey's end, they should rest satisfied: And Food and Raiment is Enough. If they have that they ought to be Content. So sayes the Apostle, 1 Tim. 6.8 If we have Food and Raiment, let us therewith be Content. For we can carry nothing away with us. 〈…〉 a man have never so much of this world, he can't carry one Penny, one Farthing with him into the othe• World. And if he could, it wou•d be •f no use to him there. As a Martyr said, I am going to a Countrey where Money bears no Mastery: To Heaven where Gold and Silver signifies nothing. ⟨p. 149⟩Are you the Children of God? Then what if you have but a little of this world, be not Discontented; •ou will have Riches enough when •ou get home to your own Countrey. There you will enjoy no less Riches •han that of a Kingdom▪ Jam 2.5. God has Chosen this Poor of the world, •ich in Faith, Heirs of a Kingdom. Then you have but little here below, what matters it; when you have a Kingom reserved for you in the Counrey whither you are going. It was to the Sons of Iacob, Regard not our Stuff, for the good of all the Land of gypt is yours,
[…] the Lords Servants meet with great Sorrow, they should moderate their Affections, because they are Sojourners and have no abiding here. Their Sorrows will all be over in a little time; Job 14.1. Man is of few Days and full of Trouble. This is some alleviation of the trouble▪ that the days are b•t few. It may be there is a• heavy Cross imposed on them; well but they have but a little way to carr• it. They will soon be at their Journey's end; and the consideration o• that should moderate their Griefs and keep them from Fainting: 2 Co• 4.16, 17. We faint not. Why? Ou• Light Affliction is but for a Moment and that makes it light. This is th• Use that the Apostle makes of men being but a little time here in th•⟨p. 151⟩world, 1 Cor. 7 29. The Time is short: Therefore they that Possess should be •s tho' they Possessed not; and Rejoice, & Weep as tho' they Rejoiced •ot, and Wept not. If you abound […] says he) with Outward Comforts, […] moderate your Affections; the •ime of your Enjoying them is short: And if you meet with great Afflictions, moderate your Sorrows; the time of •our bearing them is short.
〈…〉 the Lords Servants meet with grea• Sorrow, they should moderate their Affections, because they are Sojourners and have no abiding here. Their Sorrows will all be over in a little time; Job 14.1. Man is of few Dayes and full of Trouble. This is some alleviation of the trouble▪ that the days are b•t few. It may be there is a• heavy Cross imposed on them; well but they have but a little way to carr• it. They will soon be at their Jour•ney's end; and the consideration o• that should moderate their Griefs and keep them from Fainting: 2 Co• 4.16, 17. We faint not. Why? Ou• Light Affliction is but for a Momen• and that makes it light. This is th• Use that the Apostle makes of men being but a little time here in th•⟨p. 151⟩•orld, 1 Cor. 7 29. The Time is short: Therefore they that Possess should be •s tho' they Possessed not; and Re•oyce, & Weep as tho' they Rejoyced •ot, and Wept not. If you abound 〈…〉 sayes he) with Outward Comforts, 〈…〉 moderate your Affections; the •ime of your Enjoying them is short: And if you meet with great Afflictions, moderate your Sorrows; the time of •our bearing them is short.
Instruct. II. Hence they all whose Happiness is in Earthly Enjoyments are Miserable men. They whose Names are written on the Earth, and whose Portion is in things here below are Miserable men indeed; Psal. 17.14. The men of the world, whose Portion is in this Life. They whose Portion is in this life, suppose them to have never so great a Portion, if that be all, they are very miserable. As indeed for the most part it is so, that they who have much of this world given to them, that is their Portion; that is all the Good they must ever enjoy▪ therefore miserable are they. Christ says of ⟨p. 152⟩Ungodly Rich men, Woe to them, for they have received their Consolation, Luk. 6.24 All the Comfort, all the Happiness that ever they are like to see, they have received it. It is all in the vain things of this world; then they must needs be miserable: For these things can never make the possessor of them to be truly Happy. For a man may have them, and yet lose his Soul▪ and so be Eternally Miserable. Wha• if he should gain never so much when God takes away his Soul, what good will these things do him? Christ says, If a man should gain the whole World, and lose his Soul, what is he profited? A Religious man did once advise a very Rich man, to remember those words of Christ, and to meditate on them every Day, tho' it were but for a• Quarter of an Hour. Nay, these things will add to a mans misery, if he Dyes in his Sins at the last; he will be the more miserable, because of the Earthly Felicity that once he had. As it was said to Dives, Remember in thy Life-time thou hadst thy Good things. ⟨p. 153⟩That Remembrance made him the •ore miserable. There are some •hose Riches is Unrighteous Mammon: And if they have got their abundance •y any way of Unrighteousness, by •ying, Oppression, Cheating, Gaming, •r by any such Ungodly Practices, the remembrance of it in Hell will sting •hem, and aggravate their misery. •r if they have abused their Power •o Oppress the Poor, or their Riches •o nourish Pride and Voluptuousness, •hese Gifts of God will be brought as Witnesses against them, to aggravate •heir Condemnation at the Last Day. •ow terribly does the Apostle Thunder against Ungodly Rich men?
Instruct. II. Hence they all whose Hap•iness is in Earthly Enjoyments are Mi••rable men. They whose Names are written on the Earth, and whose Portion is in things here below are Miserable men indeed; Psal. 17.14. The men of the world, whose Portion is in this Life. They whose Portion is in this life, suppose them to have never so great a Portion, if that be all, they are very miserable. As indeed for the most part it is so, that they who have much of this world given to them, that is their Portion; that is all the Good they must ever enjoy▪ therefore miserable are they. Christ sayes of ⟨p. 152⟩Ungodly Rich men, Wo to them, for they have received their Consolation, Luk. 6.24 All the Comfort, all the Happiness that ever they are like to see, they have received it. It is all in the vain things of this world; then they must needs be miserable: For these things can never make the possess•r of them to be truly Happy. For a man may have them, and yet lose his Soul▪ and so be Eternally Miserable. Wha• if he should gain never so much when God takes away his Soul, what good will these things do him? Christ sayes, If a man should gain the whole World, and lose his Soul, what is he profited? A Religious man did once advise a very Rich man, to remember those words of Christ, and to meditate on them every Day, tho' it were but for a• Quarter of an Hour. Nay, these things will add to a mans misery, if he Dyes in his Sins at the last; he will be the more miserable, because of the Earthly Felicity that once he had. As it was said to Dives, Remember in thy Life-time thou hadst thy Good things. ⟨p. 153⟩That Remembrance made him the •ore miserable. There are some •hose Riches is Vnrighteous Mammon: And if they have got their abundance •y any way of Unrighteousness, by •ying, Oppression, Cheating, Gaming, •r by any such Ungodly Practices, the •emembrance of it in Hell will sting hem, and aggravate their misery. r if they have abused their Power o Oppress the Poor, or their Riches o nourish Pride and Voluptuousness, hese Gifts of God will be brought as Witnesses against them, to aggravate heir Codemnation at the Last Day. ow terribly does the Apostle Thuner against Ungodly Rich men?
He •ids them weep and howl because of •he misery coming on them▪ in that •hey had defrauded the Poor, kept •rom the Labourer his hire, and that Cried in the Ears of the Lord of Hosts against them, that they had laid •p a great deal of Gold and Silver▪ & •hat the Rust of that would witness against them; and that they had lived • pleasure and been wanton, he tells ⟨p. 154⟩then▪ they are like Brute beasts, fat•e• for the Day of Slaughter, Jam▪ 5.1, 2, 3, 4, 5.
He •ids them weep and howl because of •he misery coming on them▪ in that •hey had defrauded the Poor, kept •rom the Labourer his hire, and that Cryed in the Ears of the Lord of Hosts against them, that they had laid •p a great deal of Gold and Silver▪ & •hat the Rust of that would witness •gainst them; and that they had lived • pleasure and been wanton, he tells ⟨p. 154⟩then▪ they are like Bruit beasts, fat•e• for the Day of Slaughter, Iam▪ 5.1, 2, 3, 4, 5.
Instruct. III. Here we see the Sin & F•l•y of those that demean themselves a• tho' they were not Sojourners on the Earth▪ As tho' they should continue in this world for ever: As indeed that is the inward wish and desi•• of the most of men. They can't say as Job did, Job 7.16. I would not live always. If God should say to them, You shall have your Choice, either to live for ever on this Earth, or to be with Me in Heaven, the greatest part of the Children of men would choose to be here always, rather than to go to the Heavenly world. They are not like the Holy Patriarchs, that tho' they lived in one of the best Lands in the world, yet they Desired the Heavenly Country▪Heb. 11.16. And if we may judge of the inward Thoughts of men by their actions▪ we must then Conclude, that they think they are not Sojourners on Earth, but tha• they shall abide here for ever: Psal. 49 11.13. Their ⟨p. 155⟩inward thought is, that their Dwellings shall continue to all Generations: •his their way is their Folly, yet their •bsterity after them approve of it. •herefore we see that men make very ••eat Provision for this world; and it •ay be little or none at all for another World. This their way is •heir Folly. If a man that is a Tenant […] another, and his Lease almost out, ••ould now go to Building, would •ot the world wonder at his Folly? •o is the Case here; Men are Tenants […] will, the world they live in is none […] their own: Yea, and their Lease is ••most out; What then need they •ake such ado to get so much of this world? Man, the Lease of thy Life is ••most out; why then dost thou set […] Heart on the World as if thou […] to be here for ever?
Instruct. III. Here we see the Sin & F•l•y of those that demean themsel•es a• tho' they were not Sojourners on the Earth▪ As tho' they should continue in this world for ever: As indeed that is the inward wish and desi•• of the most of men. They can't say as Iob did, Job 7.16. I would not live alwayes. If God should say to them, You shall have your Choice, either to live for ever on this Earth, or to be with Me in Heaven, the greatest part of the Children of men would choose to be here alwayes, rather than to go to the Heavenly world. They are not like the Holy Patriarks, that tho' they lived in one of the best Lands in the world, yet they Desired the Heavenly Countrey▪Heb. 11.16. And if we may judge of the inward Thoughts of men by their actions▪ we must then Conclude, that they think they are not Sojourners on Earth, but tha• they shall abide here for ever: Psal. 49 11.13. Their ⟨p. 155⟩inward thought is, that their Dwell••gs shall continue to all Generations: •his their way is their Folly, yet their •bsterity after them approve of it. •herefore we see that men make very ••eat Provision for this world; and it •ay be little or none at all for ano••er World. This their way is •heir Folly. If a man that is a Tenant 〈…〉 another, and his Lease almost out, ••ould now go to Building, would •ot the world wonder at his Folly? •o is the Case here; Men are Tenants will, the world they live in is none their own: Yea, and their Lease is most out; What then need they ake such ado to get so much of this orld? Man, the Lease of thy Life is most out; why then dost thou set Heart on the World as if thou to be here for ever?
Instruct. IV. If men are to be but a […] while in this World, if they are but sojourners here, then they ought to be •ery careful not to misspend their little •ime, but to improve it well. If a man •as a Commodity of great Worth & ⟨p. 156⟩Value, and but a little of it, he will be careful not to squander it away. Verily Time is such a Commodity: Time is more precious than Gold▪ If a man had all the Gold on Earth, […] could not purchase one Day, one Hour of Time with […] all. And men have but a little of this Precious Commodity: Then had they not need to beware that they squander none of it away. It is a sad thing to hear some men speak as if Time lay on their hands. They will say, we went into such an House, or into such Company to Pass away the Time. Alas for you! Go to pass away the Time▪ The Time will pass away fast enough whether you will or no. Time is going and flying when men are doing nothing: Time is going when men are sleeping: Time is going, and will soon be at an End. Men should be careful so to improve their Time, as to be able to give account of it to that God who gave it them; 1 Pet. 1.17. God will Judge men according to their works, without ⟨p. 157⟩respect of Persons, Pass the time of •ur Sojourning here in Fear. You are •o Sojourn here but a little while; •herefore pass your Time so as you •ay be able to give a good account •o God the Judge of all. Think often with thy self, Why did God send •e into the world? And why has He continued me therein? Has not the •ord allowed me so much time that I •ight Repent of Sin, and be prepared […] another World before it is too […]? The Lord said of Jezebel ▪ Rev. •▪21. I gave her space to Repent, and […] Repented not. God has given thee space for that End, that so thou •ayest Repent before Death puts an […] to thy Time. And Time is given […] that so they may Serve and Glorify God, and do good to men while •ere on Earth: Which after their •ime is ended they can't do as now […] may; Isa. 38.19 They that go •wn to the Pit cannot Praise thee; but […] Living, the Living shall Praise thee. […] a man has a great work on his hands […] but a few Hours in a short winters ⟨p. 158⟩Day to dispatch that work in, it makes him bestir himself. You have but a short winters Day to be here on Earth, and that Day is far spent. Then are you not concerned to improve your Time with all possible diligence?
Instruct. IV. If men are to be but a 〈…〉 while in this World, if they are but •ojourners here, then they ought to be •ery ca••ful not to mispend their little •ime, but to improve it well. If a man •as a Commodity of great Worth & ⟨p. 156⟩Value, and but a little of it, he will be careful not to squander it away. Verily Time is such a Commodity: Time is more precious than Gold▪ If a man had all the Gold on Earth, 〈…〉 could not purchase one Day, one Hour of Time with 〈…〉 all. And men have but a little of this Precious Commodity: Then had they not need to beware that they squander none of it away. It is a sad thing to hear some men speak as if Time lay on their hands. They will say, we went into such an House, or into such Company to Pass away the Time. Alas for you! Go to pass away the Time▪ The Time will pass away fast enough whether you will or no. Time is going and flying when men are doing nothing: Time is going when men are sleeping: Time is going, and will soon be at an End. Men should be careful so to improve their Time, as to be able to give account of it to that God who gave it them; 1 Pet. 1.17. God will Judge men according to their works, without ⟨p. 157⟩respect of Persons, Pass the time of •ur Sojourning here in Fear. You are •o Sojourn here but a little while; •herefore pass your Time so as you •ay be able to give a good account •o God the Judge of all. Think often with thy self, Why did God send •e into the world? And why has He •ontinued me therein? Has not the •ord allowed me so much time that I •ight Repent of Sin, and be prepared another World before it is too ? The Lord said of Iezabel Rev. 21. I gave her space to Repent, and Repented not. God has given thee space for that End, that so thou ayest Repent before Death puts an to thy Time. And Time is given that so they may Serve and Glofy God, and do good to men while ere on Earth: Which after their ime is ended they can't do as now may;
Therefore remember those words of Christ, Joh 9.4. I must work while it is Day, for the Night comes in which no man can work. The Day of Life will soon be gone, and the Night of Death will soon be here. Therefore improve your Time with utmost Care and Diligence. Remember also those words of Christ, in Joh. 12 35. Walk while you have the Light, yet a little while and you have the Light; therefore walk lest Darkness come on you. The Light of Life is but for a little while, and the Darkness of Death will come. You will be in the Dark Grave quickly: You will be in the Land of Darkness, where the Light it self is Darkness. If a man live an Hundred Years, yet let him Remember the Days of Darkness, for they are many. Yea, let him so remember them ⟨p. 159⟩•s to improve his Time, in preparing •or, & making sure of a better World. And the rather because a mans time may Suddenly be brought to a Period, •e knows not how soon. When the Morning comes, he knows not but that before Night his Time may be •rought to an End. Have we not lately seen awful Instances of it, in •oth Old and Young? A man knows •ot when he comes to hear a Sermon, •ut that he may be Dead before the sermon is Ended Very lately in a Town not far off, one came on the Lords Day well into the Meeting-House, and was carried out Dead. He was an Aged man. But let Young Men Hear the Word of the Lord. They are apt to think, We have time before us, there is no fear that we •hall Dye. Nay, but thou mayest Dye before many Old enough to be •hy Grand-father. Have you not seen •t? Was there not Two Days since, •n this Neighbourhood a Young Man who went well to Bed, and was found Dead in the Morning▪ This Providence ⟨p. 160⟩is a Sermon to Young Persons, calling them to Redeem their Time, to make sure of an Interest in Christ, and so Prepare for Death. Oh! that God would awaken Young People among us, and make them wise to consider their latter End, and to consider that their Time may be at an end before they are aware; it may be before another Week, or another Day.
Therefore remember those words of Christ, Joh 9.4. I must work while it is Day, for the Night comes in which no man can work. The Day of Life will soon be gone, and the Night of Death will soon be here. Therefore improve your Time with utmost Care and Diligence. Remember also those words of Christ, in Joh. 12 35. Walk while you have the Light, yet a little while and you have the Light; therefore walk lest Darkness come on you. The Light of Life is but for a little while, and the Darkness of Death will come. You will be in the Dark Grave quickly: You will be in the Land of Darkness, where the Light it self is Darkness. If a man live an Hundred Years, yet let him Remember the Dayes of Darkness, for they are many. Yea, let him so remember them ⟨p. 159⟩•s to improve his Time, in preparing •or, & making sure of a better World. And the rather because a mans time may Suddenly be brought to a Period, •e knows not how soon. When the Morning comes, he knows not but that before Night his Time may be •rought to an End. Have we not •ately seen awful Instances of it, in •oth Old and Young? A man knows •ot when he comes to hear a Sermon, •ut that he may be Dead before the •ermon is Ended Very lately in a Town not far off, one came on the Lords Day well into the Meeting-House, and was carried out Dead. He was an Aged man. But let Young Men Hear the Word of the Lord. They are apt to think, We have time before us, there is no fear that we •hall Dye. Nay, but thou mayest Dye before many Old enough to be •hy Grand-father. Have you not seen •t? Was there not Two Dayes since, •n this Neighbourhood a Young Man who went well to Bed, and was found Dead in the Morning▪ This Providence ⟨p. 160⟩is a Sermon to Young Persons, calling them to Redeem their Time, to make sure of an Interest in Christ, and so Prepare for Death. Oh! that God would awaken Young People among us, and make them wise to consider their latter End, and to consider that their Time may be at an end before they are aware; it may be before another Week, or another Day.
Instruct. V. If men have but a little Time to be here in the world, then they should be thinking of that World where they must abide for Ever. They should be thinking of going Home: Here is not their Home. No man is not at the Home where he must dwell Everlastingly, while he is in this world. Every man in the world is going home, and to a Long Home; Eccl. 12.5. Man goes to his Long Home. The Grave is a long home. Some have been Lodged there this Five Thousand Years and more. And then the Invisible World which men are going into, is an infinitely longer Home than the Grave. They must rise out of ⟨p. 161⟩the Grave; but they are going to a World where they must continue to Eternity. All men are going to their Long Everlasting Home; tho' not to •he same Home: For they are not all going in the same way. Some are going in a narrow clean Way; others in a broad and foul Way. Some are going up hill, they that are going to Heaven do so. But they that are going to Hell, are going down hill: Like the Gadarene Swine when the Devil was in them, they went down a steep place and perished. So they that go on in their Sins, are going down •ill they perish in the Deep. Nevertheless, all are going to another world, to an Eternal World; to a World that is not seen and is Eternal. It must needs be so, because the Souls of men are Immortal, and therefore must •bide for Ever in some world or other. They have Never Dying Souls, and because their Souls are Immortal they must be for ever either in a Happy, or in a Woeful Wo•l•. As •or men that are in a state of Sin, and ⟨p. 162⟩Dye in that Estate, when once their Souls are out of the Prison of their Bodies, what Prison are they in? It is said of the Souls of men who were Drowned and Damned Thousands of Years ago, that they are in Prison, 1 Pet. 3.19 The Sinners who lived in the Old world before the Flood, their Spirits are in Prison, they are in a Dungeon. When wicked men dye, their Immortal Spirits go into a dismal and an Eternal Dungeon; Jude 13. ver. For them is reserved the Blackness of Darkness for ever. How long must they be in that dark dismal World? It is said of Hell, There the Worm dies not, there the Fire never shall be quenched. As for the Servants of God when they Dye, they go to a blessed World, they go to Heaven: there is our House, there is our Home where we must be to all Eternity; 2 Cor. 5.1.
Instruct. V. If men have but a little Time to be here in the world, then they should be thinking of that World where they must abide for Ever. They should be thinking of going Home: Here is not their Home. No man is not at the Home where he must dwell Everlastingly, while he is in this world. Every man in the world is going home, and to a Long Home; Eccl. 12.5. Man goes to his Long Home. The Grave is a long home. Some have been Lodged there this Five Thousand Years and more. And then the Invisible World which men are going into, is an infinitely longer Home than the Grave. They must rise out of ⟨p. 161⟩the Grave; but they are going to a World where they must continue to Eternity. All men are going to their Long Everlasting Home; tho' not to •he same Home: For they are not all going in the same way. Some are going in a narrow clean Way; others in a broad and foule Way. Some are going up hill, they that are going to Heaven do so. But they that are going to Hell, are going down hill: Like the Gada•ene Swine when the Devil was in them, they went down a •teep place and perished. So they that go on in their Sins, are going down •ill they perish in the Deep. Nevertheless, all are going to another world, to an Eternal World; to a World that is not seen and is Eternal. It must needs be so, because the Souls of men are Immortal, and therefore must •bide for Ever in some world or other. They have Never Dying Souls, and because their Souls are Immortal they must be for ever either in a Happy, or in a Woful Wo•l•. As •or men that are in a state of Sin, and ⟨p. 162⟩Dye in that Estate, when once their Souls are out of the Prison of their Bodies, what Prison are they in? It is said of the Souls of men who were Drown'd and Damn'd Thousands of Years ago, that they are in Prison, 1 Pet. 3.19 The Sinners who lived in the Old world before the Flood, their Spirits are in Prison, they are in a Dungeon. When wicked men dye, their Immortal Spirits go into a dismal and an Eternal Dungeon; Jude 13
. he said, Do 〈…〉; I am thy Fellow Servant, and of thy Brethren the Prophets. Believers 〈…〉 on Earth, and the Angels in Heaven▪ have the same Father. God is th• Father of Angels in respect of Crea•tion and Similitude: And He is the Father of Believers in respect of Regeneration & Adoption. The Scripture speaks of the whole▪〈…〉
⟨p. 119⟩
and on the Earth. It is the same 〈…〉 of God; only those in Hea••n are in 〈…〉•pper room▪ and those 〈…〉 Earth are ••ill here below▪ So 〈…〉 the greatest part of their Kin••d •s in Heaven: That then is their 〈…〉.
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Strange Land. But Heaven is thei• Countrey. It was well replied by one o• the Ancients▪ who when he was threat•ned with Banishment for his Religion You (said he to his Persecutors) can•not Banish me out of my own Countrey Not Earth but Heaven is my Countrey and Banish me out of that if you can▪ You may hasten me to my own Countrey but you can never turn me out of it.
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Christ sayes, Psal. 69.8. I am a Stranger to my Brethren, and an Alien to my Mothers Children. Had the world known that He had been such an One as He truly was, they would never have dealt by Him as they did▪ If they had known that He had been the Lord of Glory, they would not have Crucified Him. Our Lord Jesus Christ with respect to His Person is the Eternal Son of God, but there were very few that knew Him to be so, while He was a Stranger and Sojourner on the Earth. The Iews when they saw Him hanging on the Cross, mocked and derided at His being the Son of God, Mat. 27.40▪ He said He was the Son of God, Le• Him come down from the Cross, and we will believe Him. Thus did they mock Him.
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⟨p. 126⟩
Cloathes, tis said▪ the world was not worthy of them. This evil world was not worthy that such men should live long in it. The holy Prophets were the worthiest men that lived on the Earth in their Dayes, and yet the world did despise them, and treat them very unworthily. The world did revile them, and speak all manner of evil of them. The holy Apostles were among the Worthiest of men in the world in their Dayes, and yet they were not esteemed as such, but were treated as men of no worth; 1 Cor▪ 4.13. We are made the Filth of 〈…〉 world, and the Off-•••ring of all things▪ So then they were l•ke Strangers and Sojourners, whose Worth was no• known.
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him if a Stranger ask the way, he will tell him. I am a Stranger, and wilt thou not tell me the way to Heaven? Surely thou wilt. Oh! hide not thy Commandmens from me▪ since that is the way. These are the Desires of a Child of God. And when once they are set in the right way, they are very solicitous that they may not go out of it again: As in ver. 10. O let me not wander from thy Commandments. And if they have missed their way & gone astray, then are they exceeding desirous (as Travellers are won't to be) that they may be returned into their way again: Last ver. I have gone astray like a Lost Sheep, seek thou me. He Prayeth that he might be sought out, and set in the way in which he shoulds• go.
. Our Dayes (said he) are Three-score Years and •en; and if they do amount to Four-•core, they are Sorrow and Trouble. •t is very rare for men to live longer •han that. Indeed, there have been •f Later Time some that have lived •bove an Hundred Years. Several in •ur own Nation, have lived above an •undred and Fifty Years. One that •yed lately in an Island belonging to •cotland, is said to have lived an Hundred
⟨p. 132⟩
and Eighty Seven Years. But such instances are exceeding rare Nay, where there is one that lives to Seventy, there are many that attain no• to that Age. But if a man should live an Hundred Years and more, that is but a little while. Iacob when he was an Hundred and Thirty Years old said, Gen. 47 9▪ Few have my Da•es been. The Truth before us appears from several things.
▪4. A Thou••nd Years is as One Day in the sight of 〈…〉. Yea, as a Watch of the Night. • Watch of the Night, it is but for ••ree or Four Hours; a Thousand •ears compared to Eternity are but as 〈…〉: yea, less than that. David ••erefore sayes concerning his own 〈…〉,
Wise men Dye as well as the Fool and Brutish person. Not only Brutish persons, that live as •f they had▪ no immortal Souls; that •ive as if there were no world bu• this▪•ut Godly Wise men are subject by Death, to be removed ou• of this world as well as others: Your Fathers •here are they? And the Prophets▪ d••hey Live for Ever? The Pro••ets, the •ervants of God do they live •or ever? No, on this Earth they are •ojourners ▪
⟨p. 136⟩
and quickly remove. Men can not possibly preserve either their own life, or of those that are dear unto them, when once their appointed time is come. He can't by any means Redeem his Brother, that he should live for ever, and not see Corruption. A man has not power in the day of Death, he can't retain his Spirit; he can't keep his immortal Soul in his Body any longer when once Arrested by Death.
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Vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. Therefore men are compa•ed to Flowers, yea, to the Flower of the Field, Psal. 103▪15▪ A Flower is soon nipt and bl•sted an• the Flowers in the Field are more exposed to blasting than the Flowers in the Garden. The Life of man is said to Flee away, Job 14.1, 2. Man that is Born of woman is of few Dayes, •e comes forth as a Flower, and is cut down▪ he fleeth also as a Shadow, and continues not. The Sojourners on the Earth are posting, yea flying out of it; Job 9.25, 26. My Dayes (sayes he) are swifter than a Post, or a Ship under Sail, or an Eagle hasting to the Prey. A man that goes Post quickly comes to his Journey's end. Ships at Sea, if they have a fair wind, and Sail Day and Night, quickly comes to the desired Haven.
. How long 〈…〉 I to Live? That is to say, I have 〈…〉 long to live: I have but a very ••ttle Time more to be here in the •orld The like we see in Isaac, Gen. •• 2. I am Old, and know not the day of 〈…〉 Death. He did not know but that •e might Dye before another Day, 〈…〉 therefore would dispatch a matter 〈…〉 was of great moment that very 〈…〉. It is true, that Isaac lived Forty Three Years after that, nevertheless •hen he considered his Old age, he 〈…〉 not expect to have lived so long. •nd we find that David Prayed that 〈…〉 might have more of the sense of 〈…〉 upon his own heart,
. Make me to know mine End, and the •easure of my Dayes, and how frail I am. 〈…〉 is Faith in the Servants of God, that 〈…〉 them to have a sense hereof. 〈…〉 is said of Abraham,
▪18. Ha••ng your Understandings Enlightned, 〈…〉 you may know the Riches of the 〈…〉, &c. It is by Faith that the •ind of the Believer is Enlightned to 〈…〉 the Riches of the Glory of the •eavenly World. Yea, that it is so •lorious as is inexpressible & uncon••veable by mortal men;
.•▪ Eye hath not seen, Ear hath not heard; 〈…〉 hath it entred into the Heart of 〈…〉, the things which God hath prepared 〈…〉 them that Love Him. The world-minded man sayes, 'tis good to be the Earth still; he would be always
⟨p. 144⟩
abiding here. But the Believer sayes of Heaven, as Peter said of being in the Holy Mount, when he was with Christ there, & with Glorified Saints, Mat 17▪4 It is g•od to be he•e. So sayes the B•li•ver concerning Heaven, It is 〈…〉 to be there. The Apostle thought that to be with Christ is m•ch be•ter tha• to be in t•is World. And the Psalm••t said, O•e Day in t•y C•urts is better t•an a 〈…〉 el•e-w•ere. So sayes 〈…〉 B•liever, his F•ith makes him t•〈…〉 and say, One Day in Heav•n is b••ter th•n never so many here on E•rth.
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Riches, Honours of this world have no perfect Happiness to be found in them▪ But the Commandment directs men in the way to Heaven, that great Commandment, Believe on Iesus Christ the Son of God, sets men into the only way to Heaven, where Perfect and Eternal Happiness is to be Enjoyed.
. So may it •e said to Believers, regard not much •he things of this world, (which are •ut poor Stuff) be willing to leave •hem behind you; for all the Good of Heaven is yours. And if you abound 〈…〉 Earthly Blessings, be moderate in •our Affections towards them: Psal. •2.10. If Riches increase, set not your •eart upon them. Remember you are •ravellers! When Travellers pass •hrough a Countrey, and see this and
⟨p. 150⟩
that desirable thing, they set not their Hearts on them: (Especially if they have better in their own Countrey;) Because going away from them. So are m•n in this world going away from all their delightful Enjoyments. On the other hand;
They that go •wn to the Pit cannot Praise thee; but 〈…〉 Living, the Living shall Praise thee. 〈…〉 a man has a great work on his hands 〈…〉 but a few Hours in a short winters
⟨p. 158⟩
Day to dispatch that work in, it makes him bestir himself. You have but a short winters Day to be here on Earth, and that Day is far spent. Then are you not concerned to improve your Time with all possible diligence?
. ver. For them is reserved the Blackness of Darkness for ever. How long must they be in that dark dismal World? It is said of Hell, There the Worm dies not, there the Fire never shall be quenched. As for the Servants of God when they Dye, they go to a blessed World, they go to Heaven: there is our House, there is our Home where we must be to all Eternity;
